Composer / Saxophonist / Clarinettist
Professional
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Johnny Dankworth was a jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, writer of film scores and he remained one of the leading figures in British jazz for more than half a century.
Dankworth had violin and piano lessons before eventually settling on the clarinet aged 16, after hearing a record of the Benny Goodman Quartet. Soon afterwards and inspired by Johnny Hodges, he learned to play the alto saxophone.
In 1950, he formed a small group, the Dankworth Seven, as a vehicle for his writing activities and as a showcase for several young jazz players. After three successful years, the group was wound up, although it has re-formed for several reunions over the years.
Dankworth formed his big band in 1953. The band was soon earning plaudits from the critics and was invited to the 1959 Newport Jazz Festival, the first British group to receive an invite.
Jazz can be spiritual, cerebral, motivating or moving. It can evoke tension, relaxation, laughter and tears. Surely jazz is truly the music of the era, combining stature, dignity and emotion with the highest musical ideals.
Dankworth performed with many of the greats including George Shearing, Toots Thielemans, Benny Goodman, Herbie Hancock, Hank Jones, Tadd Dameron, Slam Stewart and Oscar Peterson. His wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine's singing was a regular feature of Dankworth's recordings and public appearances.
Dankworth began a second career as a composer of film and television scores (often credited as Johnny Dankworth). Among his best-known credits are the original themes for two iconic British TV programmes, The Avengers (used from 1961 to 1964) and Tomorrow's World. He also wrote the scores for the films Darling (1965) and Modesty Blaise and Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment (both 1966).
He always had an enthusiasm for jazz education, for many years running the Allmusic summer schools at the Stables in Wavendon near Milton Keynes, a theatre that Cleo and he created in their back garden.
Dankworth was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2006 New Year's Honours List. He and Dame Cleo Laine were also one of the few married couples where both partners held titles in their own right.
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